Conservative Treatment
Bed rest: Resting with a thin pillow suitable for neck curvature for 2-3 days in a semi-lying position is the first step of conservative treatment. In the early period (first 48 hours), cold and then hot applications are beneficial.
Medicines: Painkillers (aspirin, acetaminophen), Anti-inflammatory drugs (Naprosyn, Indocin etc.) reduce pain by preventing inflammation. Muscle relaxants relieve muscle spasms and reduce nerve irritation.
Neck Collar: The neck brace is generally recommended for resting and restricting movement during the first 2 weeks of the acute painful episode. Those who have had an accident should definitely wear a neck brace until the investigations are completed. It is not recommended to wear a long-term collar after three weeks. Melting and weakness develops in the neck muscles. Absolute neck exercises should be given importance in the late period. After neck surgeries, it may be necessary to wear a long-term neck collar with the recommendation of the doctor.
Physiotherapy: Physical therapy is extremely beneficial for those with neck pain, especially for chronic pain. Massage, hydrotherapy (water therapy), ultrasound, electrical nerve waves (TENS) are other treatment methods and must be applied by experts.
Neck Pulling (chiropraxia): It is reported that the procedure performed reduces the amount of load on the neck and relieves pain. Those who have serious diseases such as severe neck hernia, rheumatism complaints, tumor, infection should stay away. It should definitely be applied with the recommendation of a doctor and under his own control. Instead of correcting it, the results may be worse.
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Injection treatments: It is to find the place that causes pain and to give drugs that prevent pain perception Ozone therapy: It is like injection therapy. Ozone gas is injected into the problem area at the appropriate dose and concentration. Acupuncture and biological feedback (Bioenergy): Although it provides a short-term improvement today; It has not been proven that it prevents the recurrence of neck pain and accelerates recovery. Strengthening exercises, Aerobic: It is very important in the treatment and prevention of neck pain. It helps in correcting neck curvature. |
Who Is Recommend Surgical Treatment?
– Those who have tumor or abscess in the spine,
– Patients with narrow channels who have difficulty walking, clumsiness in the hand,
– Neck pressing on arm nerves and spinal cord with progressive loss of muscle strength, sensory defect and loss of reflexes Hernia,
– Those whose complaints last 4-6 weeks despite treatment,
– Those with spinal fracture and spinal slippage,
– Those with severe spinal cord and nerve compression,
– Radiological examinations (such as CT, MRI) to those who show the presence of the problem
Surgical methods:
1) Cervical laminectomy: Under general anesthesia, the surgeon reaches the spine from the back and removes the posteriorly located bone tissues to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord. The spinal cord is relaxed.
2) Simple anterior discectomy: A small incision is made in the anterior part of the neck under general anesthesia. The disc tissue between the two vertebrae is completely removed with the help of a microscope. The patient is discharged the next day. Except for special cases, there is no need to replace the removed disc with a bone fragment (graft).
3) Posterior discectomy: Under general anesthesia, the muscles are cut from the back of the neck, a window is opened on the joint, and the piece of disc pressing on the nerve is removed.
4) Corpectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon completely removes the vertebra together with the discs. The goal is to completely relax the spine. Bone graft and plate should be placed instead of the removed vertebra.
In all these surgeries, the bone fragment (graft) is taken from the patient’s hip or from a cadaver. The aim is to ensure bone union. Plaque-screw attachment is applied only in certain cases. If there is no problem, it is unnecessary to remove the plate and screw.
Exercises
15 Minute Program for a Healthy Neck
Neck exercises strengthen the neck muscles.
It increases the mobility of the neck by correcting the posture of the neck.
Those who have neck surgery and those who use a long-term collar should definitely exercise.
Neck exercises relieve tension and stiffness in your shoulders and back.
Exercise provides a painless, strong and healthy neck.
15 Minutes Exercise Program:
You can have a healthy height by doing only 15 minutes 1-2 times a day.
It should be preferred to be done in the morning.
It can be applied at home or at work by dividing the exercises into 2 and 3. The number can be increased gradually.
1. Sitting in a chair: Turn your head slowly to the right and hold for 3 seconds. Then repeat the same
process to the left. Repeat at least 5 times and rest.
2. Sitting in a chair: Try to slowly bend your head forward so that your chin touches your chest.
Take a rest. Slowly bend your head to the raka and rest.
Repeat at least 5 times.
3. Sitting in a chair: Tilt your head slowly to the right and left until your ear touches your shoulder. Slowly and at rest. Repeat at least 5 times.
4. Sitting in a chair: Slowly turn your head in a large clockwise circle. Repeat at least 3 times in the opposite direction.
5. Sitting on the chair: Putting your hand on your forehead,
trying to push the head forward, trying to prevent with the hands. Count to 10 and repeat at least 3 times.
6. Sitting on the chair: This time, your hand is placed on the back of the neck and the head is pushed backwards, while trying to prevent it with the hands. Count to 10 and repeat at least 3 times. The same movement
is repeated while leaning sideways.
7. Sitting on a chair: Bring your hands together at chest level with your arms parallel to the floor and press them together. Count to 10, hold in this shape, then let go, relax and rest. Repeat at least 5 times. Standing in the same position, try to keep your hands apart.
8. While standing upright, take a stick in your hand and lift the stick upwards while keeping your elbows tense. Repeat the movement at least 10 times.
9. While standing upright, press your palms against the wall, leaning slightly towards the wall without bending your elbow, and weigh your body.
10. Lie on your back with your knees bent. (You can be more comfortable with a thin pillow under your head). Without lifting your elbows from the ground, open your elbows to the side and raise your hands in the air. Move your elbows up and down without lifting them off the ground at a 90 degree angle.
11. Lie on your back with your knees bent. (You can feel more comfortable with a thin pillow under your head). Try to lift your head up with your body and rest. Repeat at least 5 times.
